Willms, Anna Warkentin (1909-1999)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Mar 3 p. 26

Birth date: 1909 Nov 25

text of obituary;

ANNA WILLMS

Anna Willms of Saskatoon passed away Dec. 28. She was born Nov. 25, 1909 to David and Katharina Warkentin in Carpenter, S.D. The family moved to Rudyard, Mont. in 1914 and to a farm near Hepburn, Sask. in 1918. At about 12, she accepted Christ. She later rededicated her life to the Lord, basing her salvation on John 1:10-12. She joined Hepburn MB Church, where she taught Sunday school and assisted in numerous ways. She was president of the Northern Saskatchewan Women's Missionary Fellowship for many years. In 1927 she finished grade 11 in Waldheim, Sask. and then went to Normal School. She taught in Richmond School near Mennon, Sask. for 3 years and then in Hepburn for several years. She married Cornelius C. Willms Aug. 5, 1934. She kept busy baking, sewing, gardening and doing home chores, but always had time for her children. She was concerned about her children's spiritual welfare. She prayed daily for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In later years, her eyesight failed and health problems made it difficult for her to interact with them, but her love for them remained strong. Predeceased by Cornelius, a grandson, 2 great-grandsons, 2 sisters and 3 brothers, she is mourned by children Ruth McLeod of Courtice, Ont., Dorothy Bergen of Rocky Mountain House, Alta., Deanna Thiessen of Langham, Sask. and Violet Thiessen and Kenneth, both of Hepburn; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 31 in West Portal MB Church, Saskatoon, with Alvin Penner and Helmut Schroeder ministering.